Badger men’s hockey pulls off weekend sweep

Third-ranked Wisconsin pulled out a 2-1 win over Northern Michigan at the Kohl Center on Saturday, earning its first opening-series sweep since the 2004-05 season.

For the second night in a row, the Badgers (2-0) struck first. Nic Kerdiles took a Joseph LaBate pass, weaved through the Wildcat defense and beat NMU goaltender Michael Doan with a slapshot from just inside the blue line to give Wisconsin a 1-0 lead. The goal came just over eight minutes into the game.

The next goal didn’t come until midway through the third period. Northern Michigan’s Luke Eibler lit the lamp with 10:40 left in the game to tie the score 1-1.

The game didn’t stay tied for long. Wisconsin freshman Grant Besse talked his second goal in as many nights, taking a feed from Michael Mersch and ripping a shot from the left side and then picking up his own rebound to give the Badgers the go-ahead and winning goal.

Joel Rumpel made 20 saves in-goal to earn the win in his first start. The Badgers will return to action next week as they head east for games against Boston College and Boston University on Friday and Saturday nights.